Workmans Lane, Warsash

Sunday 29 September

Last opportunity for some local birding before setting off to Spain in two days time. Up at the top of Workmans Lane at the other end of the village by 10.10 and then down to the horse fields.  Very little to see on the way down other than a group of fifteen Carrion Crows and six Woodpigeons feeding on the grass in the field on the right.  Approaching the entrance to the horse field a Jay flew across the road in front of me and then moved on to the trees at the bottom of the horse field.  Meanwhile, a very large flock of Starlings flitting around the area and by the time I was walking the bottom track I was able to count at least two hundred individuals.  A Robin was happily singing and displaying to my right.

Once near the donkey paddock I was able to check on the Carrion Crow numbers both sides of the track and able to add at least seventy more plus an overflying Jackdaw.  At the far corner of the paddock a pair of Stonechats and in the horse enclosure on the opposite side of the track at least forty individuals in the feeding Linnet flock.

A few of the Linnet Carduleis cannabina flock

Continuing and taking a left turn to follow the footpath four Barn Swallows flew past me heading towards the coast and, on the opposite side near the pond, a trio if Egyptian Geese feeding at the back of the field.

Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca

Finally a single Magpie before continuing on to Hook Lane.  An enjoyable walk back to the car through the trees then open fields but nothing new to add to the sightings albeit a further four Magpies.  Becoming very windy but "Merlin" managed to identify a further five species during the walk from the entrance to the horse field; namely Great Spotted Woodpecker, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Pied Wagtail and Rook.

Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca

Birds seen:

Egyptian Goose, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Robin, Stonechat, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Linnet.

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New Forest Birding

Blue Tit Parus caeruleus

Saturday 28 September

Beautiful sunny start to the day and all calm as I drove over top the New Forest with Blashford Lakes being my first point of call. Both Blackbird and Dunnock as I drove into the car park in front of the Tern Hide and a couple of Canada Geese flew over as I entered the building.  At first sight just a mass of Coot all over the water so time to use both bins and scope to see what else might be present.  A good number of gulls, mainly Black-headed but also both Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls, mainly towards the back left of the water.  Nineteen Mute Swans counted along with a score or more Egyptian Geese.  Difficult to find the quartet of Gadwall but not so both Mallard and Tufted Duck.  A handful of Great Crested Grebe and then the discovery of a Black-necked Grebe towards the back of the water.  Naturally, there were a number of resting Cormorant along with a single Woodpigeon atop a gate at the far left side at the water's edge.

Resting Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca with the Coots

Moving across to the main reserve immediately a few Robin and as I approached the Ivy North Hide joined by a few Chiffchaff.  Once inside more Coot and Cormorant along with a Moorhen in the channel immediately in front of the hide. Leaving the hide to to take the walk through the trees to the Woodland Hide I had a small family party of Long-tailed Tits along with a couple of Blue Tits before a Jay flew across the path in front of me.  A Nuthatch was feeding on the approach feeder and once inside the hide Greenfinch, Goldfinch and mainly Blue Tits but also a single Coal and a couple of Great Tits.  Dunnock and Blackbirds on the ground below the feeders and then the regular appearance of at least one Nuthatch.

Nuthatch Sitta europaea

Making my way on down to the South Ivy Hide I stopped to observe the distant Kingfisher resting on twigs to the back of the Silt Pond alongside a few Mallard. From the hide more Coot and Black-headed Gulls plus a couple of young Great Crested Grebes. Not so many Cormorants on this occasion.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo passing overhead

Calling in on the Woodland Hide on the way back to the car more Nuthatch appearances whist on the outside feeder a Great Spotted Woodpecker. The final walk took me to the holly trees on the other side of the entrance road where I finally found a couple of Firecrest.

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus major

Moving over to Eyeworth Pond, Fritham on the way home I recorded Jackdaw and Collared Dove in the hamlet at the end of Blashford lakes and then, almost immediately, a Chaffinch atop a small tree as I took the narrow cross country road followed by a Carrion Crow.  Passing through Fritham hamlet a small flock of Jackdaw, Starling, Blackbird and Woodpigeon then on down to the pond itself.

Coal Tit Parus ater

Once parked up in front of the pond I was able to watch the feeding area from within the with at least three Nuthatch in attendance along with, mainly, Blue but also Marsh, Great and Coal Tits.  Many of the Mallards were out of the water and feeding on the spilt seed below the gate and were then joined by a pair of Moorhen.  Finally, a lone female Chaffinch put in an appearance and was later joined by an inquisitive Robin.

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

A little bonus on the drive back to "Warsash as crossing the Test flood plain on the M27 a couple of Little Egrets to my left and a circling Buzzard just above the car, so providing a total of 39 species for the morning.

Record shot of distant Kingfisher Aledo atthis

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Firecrest, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

The very friendly Blue Tit Parus caeruleus

Dunnock Prunella moularis

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Marsh Tit Parus palustris

Robin Erithacus rubecula

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Hayling island and Farlington Marsh

Friday 27 September

Following an early entry for my dental appointment I was away from Fareham before 11am and straight over to Hayling Island to catch the falling tide.  However, upon arrival it was cold, cloudy and very windy with the incidental light drizzle.  Not to worry, having noted the Herring and Black-headed Gulls in the bay opposite the parking area along with a singe Curlew and a distant Little Egret I made my way to the path up to alongside the old oysterbeds.  On the way, the field to my left produced a couple of Magpies and fifteen Woodpigeon feeding on the grass.

The first are produced a couple of Redshank as a pair of Barn Swallows flew over.  Also moving around a small flock of Starling and a few more Black-headed Gulls.  The next bed found a dozen Shelduck and a Carrion Crow dropped in to see if anything was worth scavenging.

The walk to the final area in front of the lower car park produced a Cetti's Warbler and upon arriving at least a dozen Ringed Plovers, a second Curlew and a trio of Carrion Crows but, in general, all very quiet in the strong wind.  Finally, making my way back along the old railway track to the car park, both a Robin and Kestrel to add to the short list plus a further five migrating Barn Swallows.

Curlew Numenius arquata

After a stop lower down the island a carvery lunch and rest whilst the cloud cleared away and sun put in an appearance, I made my way back towards home with a very short stop at Farlington Marsh.  Nothing seen until I reached the barn (presumably the old viewing centre), where I found the tracks under water and lagoon levels exceedingly high.  Nothing at all on the latter but the water to the left held a number of Coot along with a trio of Moorhen and a handful of Mallard.  I made my way as far along the track as possible (without appropriate footwear) and had to stop within 50 metres but away to my left I could see scores of feeding Ganada Geese along with the "tame" white Goose and its Barnacle Goose friend.  On my side of the track the cattle were well spread and distant so no sign of any Yellow Wagtails but at least thirty Starlings feeding near the beasts.  But, a little to the left, stood a lone Cattle Egret.

Back to the car park and then take the track through the trees to the perimeter path. Both Magpie and Woodpigeon noted on the way and then, below me on the mud to the right, a good number of Black-headed Gulls along with a score or more Lapwing and a singe Curlew. 

Distant Lapwing Vanellus vanellus with Curlew behind

A stop at the viewing point produced 120 Coot on the lake to the left and down on mudflats a handful of Oystercatchers and both a Herring Gull and Little Egret. Two further Curlews were seen before a further check of the lake produced a number of Mallard.  At the very back, resting on one of the fence posts, a solitary Buzzard.

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Robin, Cetti's Warbler, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling.

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Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa

 Thursday 26 September

Another great day's birding for Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group  recording just on 50 species. I particularly like the Snipe photograph, as well as the sighting, and also Jack's Caspian Tern AND Purple Heron!  But also, especially, the Water Rail which are often so difficuly t to find out in the open an good to read that there are still Bee-eaters about.  But will they remain long enough for me to witness as another week before we reach Valencia.

Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa:  Thursday 26th September

Due to a commitment yesterday we've come out on a Thursday.  I picked Juda up at the garage in La Alfoquia and headed to the Rambla de Almanzora.  We joined by the Desert Springs golf complex.  We saw a Magpie and the first of many Barn Swallows.  At the first weir there were Mallards, Moorhens, a couple of Spotless Starlings, a White Wagtail and a Green Sandpiper.  We carried on further along seeing Collared Dove, Little Grebe and some Teal.  The ford was still dry so we ventured up the rambla to the shallow pool.  There were more Mallard plus Black-headed Gulls, a Common Sandpiper and an obliging Snipe.  Juda spotted a Yellow Wagtail.  Also seen were Kentish Plover and Woodpigeon.

Barrie and Beryl were waiting for us at the meeting area.  They had also seen Grey Heron, Sardinian and Cetti's Warblers and a Common Swift.  We were joined by Abe, Jenny and Trevor. 

Snipe (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We drove to the beach.  The only birds we saw there were a Little Egret and an Audouin's Gull spotted by Trevor.  We met Colin and Geraldine from Desert Springs.  Local birders who hopefully will be joining us on future trips.  Colin said he'd seen an Osprey at the estuary, but it had flown away.  As we left, Barrie saw a Kestrel.  We made our way to the estuary.  No sign of the Osprey.  There were fishermen at the sea end.  Barrie added Slender-billed Gull, Turnstone, Blackbird and Ringed Plover. Abe saw a Red-rumped Swallow.  Also seen were Coot, Little Egrets, Grey Herons, House Sparrow and Goldfinch. 

We adjourned to the Lucky Bar in Villaricos for coffee.  Suitably refreshed we made for the shallow waters below the dual carriageway opposite the Consum supermarket behind Vera Playa.  I spotted a female Marsh Harrier on the shrubs on the far side.  Barrie scanned left and found a male also sitting on the shrubs.  We were joined by Jacky.  She found a Redshank amongst the Black-winged Stilts.  Barrie then identified a Temmink's Stint.  I found a single Avocet.  We heard and then saw some Bee-eaters. Trevor spotted a wader on the causeway which Barrie identified as a Wood Sandpiper.  Jacky felt sure she'd seen a Water Rail.  Indeed it reappeared a few minutes later.

We moved round to the elevated viewing platform opposite the Aguaparc.  Due to the ever growing reeds the best views are from the weir bridge.  There were a number of Greater Flamingos and Little Grebes.  I found a Black-necked Grebe.  After a bit Juda and I left.  We saw a Honey Buzzard near the Bourgenvilla roundabout.

Greater Flamingo with full crop (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

In the meantime Barrie and the others had logged a Bluethroat, 2 Kingfishers and a Little Bittern......and there's more.  Jacky visited the estuary only to find a pair of Caspian Terns AND a Purple Heron! 

Wow what a great day it turned out to be!  A total of 48 species for the day.  Good company!

Regards

Dave

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Warsash Birding

Tuesday 24 September

A dry day forecast before rain for the rest of the week and after a week stuck in the house waiting for my bursa (swelling above the hip joint) to do down or at least let e walk in some form of comfort, decoded to take the relatively short walk u the Hamble River to the conservation area and back. After all, what harm could it do!

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba

Both Black-headed and Herring Gulls on the first mudflat before the ferry crossing and then working my way up the meadow a couple of Curlew and the first of a good number of Black-tailed Godwits.  Even a handful of Ringed Plovers and a quartet of Dunlin feeding near the water's edge on the incoming tide.  To be expected, I also picked up a couple of Turnstone and then the first of four Little Egrets to be seen during the walk.

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

Making my way on yup the river I soon found a small number of Redshank and even a Pied Wagtail on the path in front of me.  Stopping to check the far, exposed island the two white "blobs" turned out to be resting Greenshank.

Distant resting Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Distant record shot of the Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Approaching the conservation I noticed the Wheatear on the beach when then flew to the new fencing before disappearing onto the ground in the conservation area.  A check of the are found 43 resting Wigeon at the back, the first seen this autumn, and nearer to me both another Greenshank and a Little Egret.  The same species were also seen on the return journey along with a Woodpigeon and trio of Carrion Crows.

The Wigeon Anas penelope have once again returned to Warsash

With the legs not reacting to the sudden exercise following all that resting up at home, I returned to the house for a quick drink and change from sleeveless to my birding coat and headed off down to the village harbour before continuing along the boundary path to the Spit and on to the Scrape behind Southampton Water before finally turning for home at the Meandering Pools.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Leaving the harbour behind, my first sighting was of a Little Egret before finding a few Black-headed Gulls.  Once up alongside the Strawberry Fields a Carrion Crow and a pair of Magpie on the grass to my left and a Robin crossing the path in front of me.  Then, down on the shore itself before the slowly incoming tide, a large flock of Black-tailed Godwits accompanied by a number of Redshank, a couple of Turnstone, Ringed Plover and a few Oystercatchers.

Curlew Numenius arquata

Once past the pier, where I saw a very distant resting Cormorant, the sight of a trio of Mute Swans near the end of the Spit and many more Black-tailed Godwits, Redshank, Curlew, Black-headed and a couple of Herring Gulls. In the lea of the Spit 21 resting Wigeon and more gulls. On the Solent side of the Spit at lest 85 feeding Oystercatchers on the exposed mudflat.

Redshanks Tringa totanus

Reaching the Scrape I immediately found three Avocet and more Little Egrets along with a heron on the main island.  On the water and near the islands at least thirty Mallard plus about eight Teal.  Just the one Little Grebe but also a pair of Shoveler confirmed on the return visit as I made my way home.  Also on the main island a visiting Moorhen.

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Moving on down to the Meandering Pool I came across a flock of forty plus Linnets in the gorse area but not a single bird at the pool itself.  So slowly back home checking the Scrape on the way with a final total of 28 species for the morning but, as yet, still no sign of any Brent Geese to re-appear for the winter.

Part of the Linnet Carduelis cannabina flock

Birds seen:

Mute Swan, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Wheatear, Magpie, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Linnet.

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

Juvenile Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Feeding Dunlin Calidaris alpina

Ringed Plovers Charadrius hiaticula

Wigeon Anas penelope

Little Egret Egretta garzetta with Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa and Redshanks Tringa totanus

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Hayling Island

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola with Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Friday 20 September

The hip feeling slightly better I decided to drive over to Hayling Island and observe the birds in the harbour from the car.  Pleasant weather with occasional sunshine breeze but rain expect around midday.  However, upon arriving with the tide just on the turn one a handful of Herring Gulls, a Carrion Crow and a party of 14 Shelduck feeding near the water's edge. So, what the heck, put up with a little pain and walk across to the old "Billy Line" to check out the inland lagoon.  Again, very little to be seen other than a few Black-headed Gulls and six Little Egrets on the beach side empty lagoon.

Having got this far thought there might be no problem walking just a little further to check out the former oyster beds alongside the beach.  A trio of Starlings flew over and then many more Little Egrets with the visit's total finally reaching 19.  A single  Barn Swallow above and then, checking the far side near the water entrance thinking there would sure be a Redshank or two (there was not), I found alone Wood Sandpiper, first of the year, preening at the water inlet with a Little Egret resting on the bank above.  Very distant so only a record shot and then the bird seemed almost headless or cleaning its feet.

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

Continuing on to the final bed and island lake to the left I found more Herring and Black-headed Gulls along with a single Cormorant and a pair of Curlew.  A quartet of Barn Swallows flew over and I decided to return on the same path.  Arriving back at the last oyster bed the Wood Sandpiper and Little Egret were still present but had now been joined by a half-dozen Shelduck.  Almost immediately the Wood Sandpiper moved off to my left as the water depend and rested long enough to get a good view of its long, yellow legs, white underside and  slightly diffused upper chest area before moving on again and disappearing into a deeper channel.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Finally, reaching the main track along the old "Billy Line", a resting Woodpigeon, a couple of Robins and the same number of House Sparrows feeding on the ripe blackberries.  Just the 90 minutes birding but certainly worth the little discomfort to see the Wood Sandpiper.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna with Little Egret Egretta garzetta ( above right) and Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola (centre)

Birds seen:

Shelduck, Cormorant, Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Wood Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Robin, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow.

More of the the three species

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

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Cabo de Gata & Rambla Morales

 Wednesday 18 September

Another excellent report on the activities of his Arboleas Birding Group - and this time at my favourite Almeria site, Cabo de Gata.  I certainly like the thought of forty plus Black-necked Grebe where here it is a pleasure and surprise just to find one!  And what about a trio of Bar-tailed Godwits.  Again, scores and scores of Black-tailed but just the one sighting of a Bar-tailed Godwit for me this year.  Still Red-rumped Swallow and Iberian Shrikes about so please hang on a little longer until I arrive at the start of next month!

Cabo de Gata & Rambla Morales: Wednesday 18th September

As I left home, my decision to head south rather than north to the Sierra de Maria was correct as the sky to the north was very grey!  So instead I headed to Cabo de Gata.  I picked up Trevor from Los Gallardos.  Sadly on the way down, below Sorbas, we passed the body of an Eagle Owl on the hard shoulder.  From the motorway to Retamar we only saw one Jackdaw.  In the outskirts of the town we added Collared Dove and a House Sparrow.  Not an auspicious start!  We followed Kevin and his friend, Dan, to the first hide.  A scan of the reasonably high water revealed hundreds of Greater Flamingos.  I spotted some Mallard as Kevin called out a flying Eurasian Curlew and some Black-winged Stilts. There were Avocets, Black-headed Gulls and a Kentish Plover on the rocky causeway.  Further along were some Slender-billed Gulls, Little Egrets and Yellow-legged Gulls. The odd Barn Swallow and Sand Martin flew by.  Kevin added a Spotless Starling on the distant Guardia tower.  More were on the plant building behind us.  I found an Iberian Grey Shrike on a distant post and some Greenfinch on the powerline.  Kevin found a Red-rumped Swallow and a Little Tern.  He spotted a distant bird of prey flying towards the church.  I glimpsed its back pattern; a Booted Eagle.  I then spotted a bird flying from right to left near the village.  A Peregrine Falcon.  Also seen were a Thekla Lark and a Redshank.

After a coffee in Cabo village we made for the second hide.  There was nothing of note out to sea, but the sea daffodils were out.  We saw more Little Terns, Little Egrets and Black-winged Stilts, so we didn't add anything to the list.

Sea Daffodils (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

At the public hide the water was quite high but shallow enough for groups of waders to feed.  There were Sanderling, Dunlin, some still in breeding plumage, Redshank, Greenshank, Black-winged Stilts and Avocets.  There were large groups of Slender-billed Gulls.  Kevin then found a Ringed Plover, followed by at least 40 Black-necked Grebe....not easy to see due to the choppy water and finally three Bar-tailed Godwits.

Slender-billed Gulls (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We exited via the church track but didn't see any birds.  We headed for the Rambla de Morales.  There were walking tourists at the estuary and down the far reed line but it didn't deter the Avocets.  I spotted a female Shoveler in front of more Greater Flamingos.  Kevin added a Coot.  As we reached the hump we saw about a dozen White-headed Ducks.  Some other ducks flew off which included Shoveler and at least one Ferruginous Duck.  There was a family group of Little Grebe.  Also seen was a Black-necked Grebe. Kevin found some Turnstone by the estuary.  Our count was concluded with a Mediterranean Gull as we got back into our cars!

We ended with 36 species with some very good birds seen.  The sun shone.  No rain and good company!

Regards

Dave

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